Madeleine in Ohio

My name is Madeleine Coyne, and I am a 26 year old wife and mother of a baby girl.

Where are you located?

Cleveland, Ohio

Are you a cradle Catholic, convert or revert?

Cradle Catholic.

What’s been the biggest game changer in your Catholic faith?

My education has been the biggest game changer in my faith. I’ve been blessed to attend amazing Catholic schools from grade school through college, allowing me to constantly learn about my faith and deepen my understanding of the truths the Catholic Church contains. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome one semester in college, which gave me a greater appreciation for the rich and beautiful history of the Church.

Name a saint you identify with and share why.

I have had a special connection to St. Therese of Lisieux since I was a little girl, ever since I was part of a Little Flowers girls club (think: Catholic Girl Scouts). I’ve always found her to be especially relatable due to her determination to become a saint by performing small acts of charity. This seemed like a very realistic way of attaining eternal life in heaven. In our Little Flowers Club, we made Sacrifice Beads (or “Good Deed” beads), which was a string of 10 beads that you kept in your pocket. Whenever you performed a small sacrifice or act of love, you pulled a bead and it stayed in place. I loved the “challenge” of pulling all 10 beads every day, and I kept this string with me for years. (In fact, I think it’s time I made a new one!) Also, The Story of a Soul is one of my favorite books ever, as Therese’s story gives me great encouragement and hope.

When have you felt most valued as a woman in the Church?

I’ve felt valued as a woman in the Church ever since my mother told me the stories of the many incredible female saints as a young girl, because I recognized how much goodness and value these women brought to the world through the Church. They showed me that the Church needs strong, faithful, holy women. And still today, reflecting on their examples and the positive impacts they made makes me feel valued and needed in the Church as a woman.

What’s your favorite way to pray?

My favorite way to pray is before the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic adoration. There is nothing more powerful, calming, and reassuring than simply being present and silent in His presence. I greatly look forward to praying alone every week during my Holy Hour because I feel especially focused and connected to God during this time. At home, I love to start the day by talking to God and reading the day’s mass readings (unless I can make it to daily mass itself, of course), as well as reading the daily devotions from “Blessed Is She” that accompany the readings.

Favorite liturgical holiday?

St. Joseph’s Feast Day would probably be my favorite liturgical holiday (okay, besides maybe Christmas and Easter), because St. Joseph is amazing and because (being part Italian), I love all of the Italian celebrations on this day, especially the excuse to eat cannolis. Most importantly, my husband and I were married on this day, and I now get to watch my husband follow in St. Joseph’s footsteps as he strives to be an amazing husband to me and father to our daughter.

What do you do for fun?

I have always been a big reader, with a special attachment to classic literature. I took up Irish dancing as an adult for fun and I greatly look forward to my weekly practices, as well as my weekly Walking with Purpose bible study meetings. Otherwise, I love exploring new places in Cleveland with my husband (mostly food-related), playing outside with my daughter, or attempting some new creative project (currently: teaching myself modern calligraphy).